Jonny Gray is a highly accomplished Scottish international rugby player who made a notable move to Exeter Chiefs from Glasgow Warriors ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic caused disruptions, Gray adapted swiftly and played an instrumental role in Exeter Chiefs' success in winning both the Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup titles.
Born into a rugby family, with his older brother Richie Gray also being a Scottish and British and Irish Lions international, Jonny's rugby journey began at Cambuslang Rugby Club at the age of seven.
His talent quickly emerged, progressing through the mini section until he became a regular in the first XV at the remarkable age of 16.
Gray joined Glasgow Warriors in 2012 and spent eight successful years with the club, amassing 110 appearances. His contributions were integral to Glasgow Warriors' maiden Pro12 title triumph during the 2014/15 season.
At just 21 years old, Gray was appointed captain of Glasgow Warriors in November 2015, taking over from the recently retired Alastair Kellock. While he later became a co-captain with Henry Pyrgos, the team reverted to a sole captaincy under the leadership of Dave Rennie as Head Coach.
Despite the change, Gray maintained his position in the leadership group.
In January 2020, it was confirmed that Gray would join Exeter Chiefs on a two-year contract, reuniting with his Scotland teammates Stuart Hogg, Sam Skinner, and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne. His move to Exeter marked a new chapter in his career, offering the opportunity to compete at the highest level of English club rugby.
Internationally, Gray has made significant contributions to the Scottish national team, earning over 50 caps and becoming a mainstay in the side. His consistent excellence for both club and country has established him as one of Scotland's most reliable and influential players.
He has showcased his outstanding skills and work rate in numerous matches, including an impressive performance against Australia, where he led the team with 24 tackles and 13 ball carries.
Gray's international journey includes notable achievements such as leading Scotland to a victory over Argentina at Murrayfield and receiving a call-up for the Scotland squad in the 2017 Six Nations tournament. He also participated in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, starting in three of Scotland's matches in Pool A.
Known for his tenacious tackling and robust presence in the engine room of the pack, Gray's defensive prowess is evident in his performances. His remarkable tackling ability was highlighted in a record-breaking match against Leinster, where he made an astonishing 43 tackles.
Gray's move to Exeter Chiefs came after making 110 appearances for Glasgow Warriors and scoring 12 tries.
During his time at Glasgow, he accumulated impressive statistics, including playing 7,992 minutes and attempting 1,494 tackles, with an average of 15.0 tackles per 80 minutes played. His accuracy in tackles is exemplified by only 13 missed tackles in the PRO12/14 competitions.
As Jonny Gray continues to make his mark in the rugby world, his dedication, leadership, and exceptional skills contribute to his reputation as one of Scotland's finest locks. His presence in the Exeter Chiefs squad adds significant value to the team, and fans eagerly anticipate his future achievements in the sport.
KG(18/06/2023)
Career
 |
Union Bordeaux Begles No 5 Lock |
2024 - present |
 |
Scotland U20's No 5 Lock |
2012 - 2013 |
 |
Glasgow Warriors No 5 Lock |
2012 - 2020 |
 |
Scotland No 5 Lock |
2013 - 2023 |
 |
Exeter Chiefs No 5 Lock |
2020 - 2024 |
